Gauchos Men and Women Repeat At All-Cal Challenge

UCSB track and field took home both the men's and women's team titles in the All-Cal Challenge hosted by UC Irvine. The Gaucho women's team took home the All-Cal Challenge for the fourth year in a row Saturday as the Gauchos edged UC San Diego, 211-207, at UC Irvine. UC Irvine finished third with 135 points and UC Riverside was fourth with 88. UC Santa Barbara won the men's title for the second year in a row with 208 points, UCI was second (204), UCSD third (139) and UCR fourth (98).

The Gaucho women won seven events on the day, lead by senior Amy Haapanen's three wins in the shot put (48-07.50), discus (155-05) and hammer (201-11). Haapanen's marks in all three events qualify her for the NCAA Regional meet as does senior Heather Quinn's 185-07 for second place in the hammer. Also in the field, senior Heidi Nyberg was the winner in the pole vault with a vault of 11-05.75.

Santa Barbara took it's last three victories in the distances starting with sophomore Danielle Domenchelli running a personal best of 4:35.56 in the 1,500 meters. Freshman Alyssa Brown took the 800 meters in 2:17.29 over Domenichelli in a tacticle race. Senior Christie Farson also ran a personal best 11:23.02 en route to a win in the 3000 meter steeplechase.

The men also were victorious in seven events sparked by senior John Delaney's 204-03 in the javelin which earned him a spot at the NCAA Regional meet. Senior Scott Anderson was victorious in the shot put for the second time this season with a throw of 54-04.75.

UCSB men's distance duplicated the women's success with three wins of its own. Senior Micah Tyhurst started the day off crossing the line in first in the steeplechase with a time of 9:27.20. The Gaucho's also finished on top in the 800 with sophomore Jeff Campbell's time of 1:55.61 and junior Tim Aukshunas's took the 3000 meters in 8:26.83.

The Gauchos also performed well with two more victories in the short sprints with senior Ryan Donnelly taking both the 100 and 200 in 11.17 and 21.92 respectively.

The UCSB track and field teams compete in the Ben Brown Invitational at Mt. Sac in Walnut, CA Friday and Saturday.